Disclaimer: I'm not lucky enough to own Harry Potter & the gang—they all belong to the incomparable JK Rowling!
What happens when your boyfriend's 'spare bit of parchment' takes you and your arch-nemesis twenty years back in time? With the Marauders involved, things can get pretty interesting. ..
Mischief Managed: Chapter 13—Draco's Decision
"But honestly, a 'D' on my moonstone essay. Professor Avery is worse than my old Potions teacher, and that is saying something." Ginny crumbled her poor essay into her bookbag, not really caring about her grades since there was no Mum there to scold her by way of a Howler.
"Well, don't get down about it," Remus said with a smile, "the Halloween Ball is in two weeks, and it looks like our plan is working splendidly—look over there."
"Oh my God! James Potter, studying for a test?"
"So it would seem," Remus grinned, "and he hasn't bothered Snape all week."
"Well," Sirius Black jumped in between them, "he hasn't in front of you two; but trust me, Snivellus will always be hexing practice for James."
"Stop calling him Snivellus!" Remus said loudly, "he's got feelings too you know."
"Feelings, well—making a little discovery about ourselves are we, Mooney?" Sirius said teasingly.
"Speak for yourself, Mr. I-can-only-wear-designer-shirts," Ginny playfully shoved the tall dark boy.
"So Ginny," Sirius grinned, "who are you going to the Ball with?"
"I haven't thought about it," she said truthfully.
"I was hoping that you would do me the honoring of letting me escort you," Sirius said hopefully, "unless Mooney's already beaten me to the punch."
"Well," Remus went red, "its fine if you—whatever you want Ginny."
"No need to argue gents, she's already spoken for," Draco Malfoy strutted toward them with an air of supreme arrogance.
"So Draco," Ginny said with a wry smile, "you're asking the 'Weaselette' to the Ball?"
"No," he smirked, "actually I am taking the Weaselette to the Ball."
"And what if she doesn't want to go with the bouncy little Ferret?"
"She really has no say in the matter." Draco said, lowering his voice so that only she could hear, "Besides, you wouldn't want me squealing to Potter that you actually went out with his dead Uncle Sirius, or poor Professor Lupin."
"I think he'd be more perturbed by the thought of me and you," Ginny said, angered by Malfoy's low blow. But Malfoy did have some reason to his madness—she ought to not interfere either.
"All right then," Ginny agreed, "I'll be looking forward to it."
Halloween Night: October 31, 1976
Ginny had decided to wear purple dress robes, which complemented her short red hair nicely.
"You look wonderful, Ginny," Lily appeared suddenly as Ginny was admiring her reflection in their dormitory's vanity.
"Oh Lily," Ginny said with awe, "your dress is positively gorgeous—that color is amazing on you."
Lily's dress was cream-colored and slightly off the shoulder. Her long red curls flowed freely down her back.
"James is absolutely going to go nutters."
"I honestly can't believe that I am actually about to go to a Ball with Ja---"
"Come on, you can say it," Ginny said encouragingly with a grin.
Lily took a deep breath " –James Potter."
"I think you two are meant for each other." Ginny said, her mind wandering to those big green eyes that were probably searching for her at this very moment.
"I could say the same thing about you and Draco—I see the way he looks at you."
"Never," Ginny assured Lily, snapping back to reality, "I have a boyfriend back home, remember?"
"Oh yes, that Harry character—is he as nice as Draco?"
"About one thousand times nicer."
"And as handsome?"
"By a long shot."
"He must be an Adonis then—look at Draco."
Draco was sitting with Sirius on the couch in the Common Room. He was actually smiling—not smirking—actually laughing and smiling. Ginny had never seen Malfoy this way before, and she thought it did wonders for his pale blonde good looks.
"He's cute—I give you that—but Harry has my heart."
"Fine then," Lily threw her hands up in defeat, "I tried at least."
"Are you two about ready?" Alice said quite loudly, "I thought we were going to eat at the Hog's Head before the Ball."
"We're ready," Lily said quickly, not wanting James to think she'd been trying too hard to impress him.
"I made reservations for fifteen," Meghan Gibbs said worriedly as she examined herself in the mirror, "Oh, I do hope that was enough."
"It'll be fine, Meggie," Alice said happily, "and you look lovely by the way—Remus will be positively floored when he sees you."
"You're going with Remus?" Ginny said with disbelief, "what about Alsatia?"
"Oh didn't you hear," Meghan said dryly, "wait till you see who she's going with."
"Knowing her it'll be someone gorgeous," Alice said with a trace of envy in her voice.
"That's a matter of opinion," Meghan said quite firmly, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, you know."
"Let's go!" Lily said sternly, ready to get the evening over with.
"Hello loves!" Alsatia Dumbledore exclaimed. She looked very pretty indeed, in her baby pink dress robes.
"I want to know who you're going with!" Alice said excitedly.
"You'll find out," the blonde said with a wink.
"He's probably curling his hair right now," Meghan rolled her eyes, "and I can't believe I'm stuck with Lupin—why didn't you just ask him Alsatia, you know how shy he is?"
"I would never stoop so low Meggie—it's me you're talking to." Alsatia said, only half laughing.
Meghan rolled her eyes.
"I want a picture," Ginny said, "gather round girls—smile for the camera!"
"I'm in the middle—make way for the centerpiece, ladies," Sirius Black exclaimed as he jumped into the pile of girls. He looked quite fetching indeed—sporting a crushed blue velvet suit.
"You're mental, mate," James Potter shook his head, "here Evans, I have something for you."
"A flower? That's so—so unlike you. Sweet, but unlike you. Thanks Potter."
"No problem," James grinned as he slipped the corsage on her wrist, "you look beautiful by the way."
SNAP!
"Ginny!" Lily laughed, "That was horrible—you should warn people before you go taking pictures."
"Take another one," James said, grabbing Lily by the waist and posing.
Harry was going to love this, Ginny thought—exclusive photographs of his Mum and Dad's first date. She gave Remus a thumbs up as he gave Meghan her corsage, quickly snapping a picture of his nervous face.
Alice looked pretty too, her brown curls framing her round face. Neville's dad Frank was the shocker—he was downright shaggable.
"Smile guys," Ginny grinned at the smiling couple, feeling very sad that Neville had to grow up without them.
"Alsatia dear, don't tell me you've started taking pictures without me!" a boy with blonde curls stood at the door with his hands on his hips.
"Don't worry Lockhart, you'll get your photo-op—after they're done with me of course," Sirius said with a smile.
"No worries Black—we all know who the handsomer of the two of us is—"
"That would be—me! I know Lockhart, and it's good of you to finally recognize it."
"Keep telling yourself that. At least my hair, which one day will be styled by my own line of hair-care products, looks decent," Lockhart grinned, displaying his pearly white teeth.
"Who invited this prat?" Sirius looked annoyed.
"Look who it is," Ginny nudged Draco, who returned her smirk.
"What a moron," Draco sneered, "by far the worst Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher we ever had! Honestly—even Black wouldn't stoop low enough as to wear pink dress robes."
"Someone say my name?" Sirius looked up.
Ginny struggled not to laugh as Sirius pretended to look offended.
"Are we ready yet?" Frank Longbottom said cheerfully.
"Where has Peter gotten off to?" Remus said, searching the room.
"He's probably still trying to find a date," James grinned, "good old Peter, always good for a laugh."
Ginny felt Draco tense up.
"You all right there, Ferret?"
"Fine," he said, "I need to tell you something later."
"Let's eat," Frank said, leading the group down the stairs, "I'm starving."
"Hey—umm—Draco," James said, grabbing the blonde by his arm, "I wanted to talk to you for a minute."
"What is it, Potter?" Draco stared at the other boy intently.
"I wanted to—err—apologize. I was an idiot, and I misjudged you, so yea—I'm sorry."
"Its fine, Potter," Draco said, a little taken aback. It was a little scary seeing Potter almost friendly. He gave James a small smile before he rejoined Ginny, who was waiting for him.
"What did he want?" she questioned eagerly as she watched James hold the door for Lily, who in turn seemed to be quite impressed with this display of his new attitude.
"Just—he apologized," Draco shrugged his shoulders.
"That must have been a first," Ginny smiled, "but Draco—"
"Yes?"
"I think we've all underestimated you."
"Thanks Weas---uhh—Ginny."
"Now, what is it you wanted to tell me?"
"Draco!" a tall girl with shining black hair snapped.
"Later Black," he sneered, "I'm busy if you couldn't tell."
"This cannot wait! I need to speak with you, without your pretty girlfriend."
"Leave him alone," Ginny said sharply.
"Draco," Bellatrix said warningly, "I am growing impatient."
"What is it?" he said in a dangerously quiet voice as they moved out of earshot.
"I want to hear your answer."
"I don't know what you are talking about," Draco said haughtily.
"I think you do," Bellatrix smirked.
"I think you can leave me alone Black. You do not intimidate me in the slightest."
"Really," the raven haired witch had pulled her wand out of her tight bodice and began to play with it absentmindedly. "I would think that you would be very willing to cooperate, considering your position..."
He shook his head, "You can't touch me."
"What about your silly little girlfriend," Bellatrix smiled evilly as she watched his hands clench into fists, "I'm sure that you wouldn't want anything—nasty—to happen to her."
"What is it that you want Bellatrix? And leave her out of this!" he said through clenched teeth.
"An answer," she said nonchalantly, still playing with her wand, "are you prepared to do whatever it takes to serve Lord Voldemort? Are you prepared to be one of the most powerful wizards in the world?"
Before Draco even had a chance to open his mouth, Bellatrix put a finger to his lips.
"Who's there?" she said sharply.
A petrified looking boy with a pointy nose and torn robes crept toward her, hugging his left arm to his chest.
"Oh," Bellatrix said disappointedly, "it's only Pettigrew."
"PETTIGREW!" Draco's jaw dropped.
"B-Bella," the boy said weakly, "it's—it's him. He wants to see you."
"Of course, "she said demurely, "and as for you, Draco—I expect a quick decision. Lucius thought most highly of you; and if I were you, I would have an answer for him—tonight."
She disapparated with a loud popping noise, leaving Draco alone with the shaking boy.
"YOU!" Draco bellowed, grabbing Peter by the robes, "You're a bloody GRYFFINDOR! You have FRIENDS, and you'd be willing to lose them by throwing your lot with him?"
Peter fell to the ground as Draco released him. "What would you know about it? What more could you possibly want—you're good-looking and athletic and have dates to formals."
Draco rolled his eyes as he thought about all the magical cosmetics his mother had sent him.
"At least you have mates who give a shit about what you do with your life, Pettigrew---I wouldn't be tossing their friendship out. It's probably the only consequential thing you'll ever have in your miserable life... "
Peter's entire face glowed in the soft moonlight, giving him a devilish look, "To them, all I am good for is a laugh, but that's all going to change!"
Draco's pale blue eyes narrowed, "if you think signing up with Voldemort is nothing but an Extreme Makeover, I'm here to tell you that you're wrong—and trust me, I would know."
Peter wasn't listening. "They all think they're so clever, but I've outwitted them all. They have no inkling of my situation and importance to Lord Voldemort, and one day I'll show them—I'll be the best of us all."
"SHUT UP!" Draco roared, shaking the smaller boy, "that's what he wants you to think. It's all one big mind game! You think you're so powerful—but it's him that's getting the power."
"That's just it, Draco," Peter had stopped struggling now, and a satisfied smile had appeared on his face, "Power. I want it—and Lord Voldemort can give it to me."
"I'd think your mates' lives would be worth more to you than some delusional power trip of a prefect gone bad."
"Remus thinks he's so smart—but I've outsmarted him. Sirius thinks he's so handsome—but he won't last long when the Dark Lord comes to power. James—I wanted for so long to be him—even for a second, just to feel what it was like to be James Potter. Now I wonder why—He's never tasted real power, and will never have it. But I will. I will be Lord Voldemort's most faithful servant."
SMACK!
Peter slumped against the cold cobblestone of the courtyard, completely passed out from Draco's punch.
"Yea, well you'll have to take it up with my Dad if you want the job," Draco said wryly, "and believe me, you'll be working weekends and holidays.
"WHAT THE HELL DID YOU JUST DO?"
James Potter and Sirius Black ambushed Draco like two wild dogs, quickly dropping to Peter's side.
"He—he hit me," Peter whimpered pitifully.
"Got a problem, Draco?" James said coldly.
"Why don't you ask your little mate," Draco said with disgust. These idiots obviously couldn't smell a rat when they saw one.
"He's—a—Death Eater," Peter paused for dramatic emphasis, "he wanted me to join him—he hit me—I fought."
"You stinking piece of vermin!" Draco lunged toward Peter, but James was quicker.
"Don't you dare, you asshole! What's he done to you anyway?"
Ice blue eyes met hazel ones. "I just told you, Potter. If you want to talk Death Eaters, look at your nasty little friend on the ground, he's spent the last few days with Lord Voldemort—I'd check his forearm before you pass any judgment, Potter!"
"You said his name," James said bitterly, "my Dad told me that only Death Eaters are brave enough to say his name—and we were foolish enough to trust you."
"What's going on out here?"
Remus, Ginny and Lily hurriedly made their way to the courtyard, careful to avoid stepping on Peter, who still hadn't recovered from Draco's punch.
"We just caught a Death Eater, Mooney," James said coldly, "he's admitted it."
"There is no proof of that," Lily said quickly, "James, please put your wand down."
"I don't want him escaping; besides, why else would he attack Peter?"
Draco freed himself from Sirius's grip.
"The little fucker deserved what he got, even if it was Death Eaters who did it! You think you can sniff out Dark Wizards—Ha! I'd look a little closer at your friends, Potter."
He stormed his way up the courtyard steps, where Ginny was standing stonily in her dark purple gown. The four Marauders just stood there gaping at him. Perhaps it wasn't Potter's fault he was so dense—with a moron like that for a father.
"I suppose you believe this rubbish?"
"I don't know what to believe anymore, Draco."
"I'll tell you what to believe—that little rat Pettigrew is a traitor, and I say we expose him for what he is."
"We can't do that, Draco," Ginny sighed.
"Why the bloody hell not? You're the one who was spouting the 'we're meant to be here for a reason' nonsense. Maybe we're meant to save the lot of them."
She grabbed his arm firmly. "Peter has to betray them. Lily has to die—to save Harry—that's how the curse worked. That's why Harry has the power to defeat Voldemort."
Draco looked at her with disbelief, "you can't be telling me that Potter would rather face constant hero-worship and almost certain death than having parents—albeit idiotic ones? I know which option I'd choose."
Ginny looked at him squarely in the eye. "And that's what makes you and Harry so different…Harry would choose to do what is right over what is easy."